As a child, with undiagnosed ADHD (it was the ‘80’s!) school was tough. My Dad had his own building company up in Lancaster, so from 16 years old I worked with him…initially as a hod carrier. I trained hard, learning the basics of building and I worked on having a strong foundation of knowledge and skill alongside a real interest in the industry. But Dad wasn’t keen on me following in his footsteps, so I signed up for the army.

 I served with the Kings Royal Hussars and 2 Para and upon leaving I gained a law degree, went on to have a job as a cocktail flarer and bar manager, studied for a second degree in nursing, worked for several years as an ITC nurse at the QE in Birmingham…but I always went back to building. It was where I was happiest, and I really excelled.